Crane lift extracts air cleaning plant at wood mill
A machinery lifting team from Hird has used two mobile cranes to remove an extraction unit weighing 15 tonnes from the roof of a wood processing plant.
The dimensions of the extractor, which was 15m long, meant the main lift had to be carried out with lifting tackle incorporating seven lifting beams and 22 slings.
As there were no lifting points on the extraction unit, the existing steel frame between the extraction unit and the roof was used to attach the lifting slings to accomplish the lift.
Cut from roof
A Liebherr LTM1095-5.1 mobile crane with a maximum safe working load (SWL) of 95t, operating with a jib length of 37.5m was used to carry out the main lift.
A Liebherr LTM1030-2.1 mobile crane, with a SWL of 35t, operating with a maximum jib length of 30m, was combined with a man basket so a Hird slinger could attach the lifting tackle.
Hird Director Jason Timmins, who was the Appointed Person for the lift, said: “The main risk we had to mitigate for this lift was the fact that the extraction unit had to be cut from the roof.
“This meant that, once the lift started, there was no going back. The extractor couldn’t be put back in place. However, the lift went entirely smoothly, as planned.”
Smaller loads
The other key concern during the contract lift was the need to safely relocate the smaller mobile crane to two set-up points either side of the Liebherr LMT1095-5.1 to attached the lifting tackle.
The 95t crane was also used to remove smaller items, including ladders, motors and pipework before the main lift. For all the lifts, the maximum tip height was 7m and maximum radius 20m.
The machinery lift was completed, with the extraction unit down and all lifting equipment removed from site, in two days.
Detail paramount
Jason Timmins said: “This was a relatively straightforward lift, carried out on behalf of a demolition specialist which assisted throughout. However, with every lift, attention to detail is paramount.
“Only when we’ve considered and understood all possible risks and technical challenges, incorporating them in a thorough method statement and risk assessment can a lift go ahead.”
Hird can carry out contract lifts and machinery moving projects or provide a mobile crane hire service on a crane and operator basis only.
The company also has an extensive spider crane and pick and carry crane hire fleets, so has the capacity and capability to carry out machine lift and move projects in any industrial and commercial environment.
Find out more
Find out more about contract lifting and mobile crane hire services from Hird across the UK.
Contact the Hird crane hire team today. Telephone: 01482 227333. Email: [email protected].